scuttling
SKUT-uhl-ing
Definition
The act of deliberately sinking a ship or vessel, typically by opening holes in the hull or letting in water.
Etymology
Originating in the mid-16th century, the word likely comes from the Middle French 'escouter', meaning to listen, or potentially an alteration of the Spanish 'escotilla', meaning hatch. It evolved in English nautical slang to describe the act of opening a ship's hatch or hull to sink it.
In the news
In the context of responding to low river levels, Hungary considered sinking or scuttling barges to create a weir that would redirect water flow toward its power plant. It illustrates the extreme, emergency-level measures required to maintain infrastructure during climate-induced droughts.
The Climate Issue newsletter: The surprising effects of Europe’s heatwaves | World News
Read the full article ↗Hindustan Times